The Ark is Ready to Load - The Rains Have Returned

Design - "Noah's Ark"

Designer - Designs by Charlotte

Fabric - 32 count unknown

Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 12 April 2012

Completed - 24 April 2012

Well, the rains are due to return for the next couple of days.  If things get too bad, the Ark is waiting and ready to launch! 

Spring though, waits for no one!  I cannot believe all the changes in the last week or so.  Grab an umbrella and take a stroll with me. 

The Grand Hound's Tongue (Cynoglossum grande) are in full bloom.  We have a very nice grouping at the edge of our driveway up near the house.  I can look outside while at the computer and admire them.

  

The sunny meadows are full of Woods Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) blossoms.

Even the Big Leaf Maples (Acer macrophyllum) are in full bloom.  The Bushtits Finches, and the Evening Grosbeaks are busy at work in the trees eating the new buds.

Likewise, the Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii) is also in bloom.  The Band-tailed Pigeons will eat the berries of the Madrone when they mature this fall. 

The first clumps of Blue Oregon Iris (Iris tenax) are blooming.  With a few more sunny days, our meadows will be awash in periwinkle, lavender, mauve, lilac, and every other shade of purple you can think of.

We have a really nice grouping of Oregon Fawn Lilies (Erythronium oregonum) deep in the shade along our Secret Path - close to our Big Creek. 

For several years now, my sister has been nurturing this patch of Western Trillium (Trillium Ovatum) in a shaded corner of her Dahlia Garden. She does not mow until mid-July when the plants have gone to seed and the leaves have disappeared.

We have Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) growing throughout our property.  The yellow blossoms are pretty, but the purple grape-like berries in the fall are prettier still.

I mentioned that Spring waits for no one.  Well sometimes Spring rushes along too.  The Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) exploded in blooms during our spell of warm weather last weekend.

Every once in a while, the native Trilliums produce 'sports' with pink to burgundy blossoms. 

These two are representative of some variations that I saw on my walk.

I'm stumped!  I don't know what this pretty little blue flower is.  Its growing in the shade and  damp. 

We have three very nice patches of Stream Violets (Viola Glabella) along the driveway near Dorothy's creek.  It is very shaded and damp, and they are very happy.

That's it for today.  Shake off your umbrella and step on inside.  I'll see what I can rustle up for a snack.  I have lots more photos to share - including a Big Surprise - stay tuned!

Enjoying a Spell of Good Weather

We've had super weather the past few days.  69F Friday, 70F Saturday, 77F Sunday, and 81F Monday - our first 80F+ day of the year!  So as it turns out, not I've not much to report on the stitching front.  I've been outside messing about with my plants!  I did stitch a bit on "Brother Noah" Sunday and Monday evening.

It's Tuesday, that means it's time to mosey on over to The Garden Party at An Oregon Cottage.

Take a look at my Auricula.  I could win a ribbon at the Chelsea Flower show with this beauty!   

Good weather on Friday, Saturday, Sunday meant a trip to the nursery!

By Monday evening this is what I'd done.

I used many of the plants to 'refresh' my thyme and sedum theater.

I think about 50% of my sedums over-wintered.

I over-wintered a group of 48 plants in this protected gravel area.  They were protected from wind on two sides, and the gravel retained any heat.  Most of the plants were agastaches, salvias, herbs, and dianthus.  I covered them with old blankets a couple of nights when the temperatures dipped below 25F.  Otherwise, they fended for themselves.  I was especially pleased with the small dianthus.  Last winter I had them tucked under the eaves and they all died.  This year, out in the elements, they all survived!   

This past weekend I set up a card table and took a look at each pot.

I was pleased to have an 83% survival rate - 40 out of 48.  That's a big savings on my spring gardening budget.  Now - how do I keep the chipmunks from digging in the pots?

Spring continues a pace on the Front Porch.

Every time I go out, all the color makes me smile.

This evergreen Clematis "Early Sensation" is about to explode with blossoms.

And look at the Arisaema - the pot on front right.  This was taken on 4/16.

The same Arisaema one week later.  Leafed out and the hooded cobra blossom in evidence! 

Next up - get the Fucshias and Begonias out of the greenhouse!  This will be the earliest that I've ever set them out - but I think we are frost-free from here on out.

Muscari Monday

I wanted something to stitch while watching "Finding Your Roots" Sunday evening.  I kitted up "Brother Noah" from a Leisure Arts pamphlet.  It's a very small sampler, I got about half way done in one hour's stitching. 

While we have lots of daffodils, my favorite 'small bulb' is Muscari (the Grape Hyacinth).

Muscari 'Ocean Magic'

We have hopes of someday having a Muscari meadow - for now we have a 3 feet by 3 feet square!

Here's the source of our inspiration!

For over 20 years now this small vacant lot in west Eugene comes into its own in late April.

It is a veritable sea of blue.

The bulbs have naturalized with wild abandon!

I now have six or so different varieties of muscari.

Muscari azureum

Muscari - Dark Eyes 

Notice the small white eye on each bud.

Muscari - variety unknown

Muscari - unknown from "Sunshine Blue Mix" of Daffs and Muscari.

Muscari latifolium

Muscari armeniacum - Fantasy Creation

This is perhaps the oddest of all Muscari.

It won't come into its own for a while yet.  I'll take another picture when all the blossoms are at their peak.

The Sunday Bird Show

I managed to get photos of most of our returning guests... 

...including the Goldfinches!

They certainly brighten up our feeders.

And when their larger cousins, the Evening Grosbeaks decide to come to the feeders, we'll have even more color.

The peanut feeder has had the 'regulars' - a Hairy Woodpecker...

...and a smaller Downy Woodpecker.

Oh, but I wish this Red Breasted Sapsucker was looking my direction!

I don't think I've ever gotten this close to one before. 

And on the ground, working away, a Red-Shafted Northern Flicker.

I'll leave you with a "Where's Waldo" photo.

In this case, it's where's the little Bushtit?  Click on the photo to make it larger - that may help.

Here are directions: look at the center of the photo.  Just to the right of center above the green blackberries leaves there is a small brown and gray bird - that's the Bushtit.  They are very, very, small and flit incessantly.  I've been trying (unsuccessfully) for over a year now to get a picture of one.

The Birds Are Back!

Friday must have been the day all the "Snow Birds" returned home for the Spring / Summer.  We had our first sightings of Goldfinches, Evening Grosbeaks, and Barn Swallows.  I don't think that we've ever had a day with 'first sightings' of three returning birds before.  I'll have photos in a couple of days.

In the mean-time the California Quail have slowly been pairing up.

This sweet little female spent quite some time perched on our bench.

She appears to have no suitors.

But not for lack of trying on her part. 

She postured and posed.

She turned this way and that.

Isn't she a sweet plump thing? 

She called and called...

"Single female quail - looking for a mate!"

Here's what her call sounded like 'Chi-Ca-Go'.